Party raises pre-school funds

MORE than 200 childen and adults attended a party to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Woodcote Â Pre-School Group.

MORE than 200 childen and adults attended a party to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Woodcote Â Pre-School Group.

The event, which took place at the village hall and green, raised more than £1,000 towards new play equipment and school trips.

Attractions included a buffet, hog roast, bouncy castle, face-painting and live music performed by local folk band Cliodhna. There was also a prize raffle in which Sue Thornton, a former manager of the group, won a weekend in Hay-on-Wye.

Children were encouraged to wear fancy dress and prizes for the best costumes were awarded by Gill Woods, who co-founded the group with Pat Caitlin in 1966.

Also present were previous managers Jackie Lawrence and Sharron Rook, who jointly organised the afternoon with current manager Wendy Powell.

James Harvey, the group’s chairman, said: “It went really well. Everyone had a great time and raised a significant amount of money in the process.

“It’s incredible how we’ve managed to carry on as there aren’t many pre-schools that run for 50 years. I think we’ve been successful for so long because of the support we’ve always had from the community, for which we’re very grateful.”

The group, which meets on five days a week at the village hall, started with 15 children but is now allowed to have up to 60.